Kisumu launches DNA and CPR Molecular Diagnostic Platform

Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili, Health CEC Dr Greg Ganda and other health workers during the launch of the first DNA and molecular diagnostic platform. [Olivia Odhiambo, Standard]

Kisumu County has launched its first public DNA and CPR Molecular Diagnostic Platform.

The Facility which has a capacity of doing 2,000 tests per day is domiciled at the Kisumu County Referral Hospital.

Deputy Governor Mathews Owili said the establishment of this molecular laboratory is a landmark milestone as it will not only test and monitor HIV cases but also other pathogens such as Covid-19, TB, HPV, Hepatitis, and future emerging diseases.

Speaking in Kisumu town during the launch, the Deputy Governor noted that the medical laboratory officers have been trained and mentored, and adequately equipped with the knowledge and skills to undertake the testing.

"The KCRH laboratory is therefore ready for molecular testing after meeting all the requirements. These efforts are worth the investment. As a government, we are proud of the health team and its benefactors," he said.

Owili claimed that the project will increase the accessibility to molecular diagnostics, reduce the turnaround time, promote early diagnosis and patients' initiation to management, and promote surveillance of public health concern diseases through multi-disease testing platforms.

A health worker at the molecular laboratory. [Olivia Odhiambo, Standard]

He noted that with the molecular laboratory, Kisumu also moves closer towards the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (eMTC) as the facility will bolster its capacity to deal with Viral Load (VL) and Early Infant Diagnosis(EID) test challenges.

"Before this facility, the viral load and EID tests were only available at KEMRI, AMPATH (Eldoret), and Walter Reed in Kericho," he said.

He argued that according to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) developed, the turnaround time will significantly reduce by 85 per cent.

"Results for the KCRH sample will be relayed on the same day while for peripheral healthcare facilities within the network will be 24-72 hours. This is a remarkable development in advancing timely results for Kisumu residents and beyond," he explained.

Kisumu ranks among those jurisdictions with a high HIV burden in Kenya with a prevalence of 14.5 per cent (Kenya HIV Estimate 2023).